Azam Khan booked for his Kargil remarks, remains defiant

A day after Election Commission cracked the whip against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for his controversial remarks on Kargil war, Ghaziabad police today booked the UP Minister on charge of promoting enmity on ground of religion and other offences but he remained defiant. "We have registered an FIR against Azam Khan under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race), 153B (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC.

"He has been booked at Masuri police station of Ghaziabad," said Subodh, station house officer of Masuri police station.

The charges also include Sections 505 (2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill- will between classes) and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Before registering an FIR against Khan, who is close aid of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Ghaziabad DM and ADM held a meeting with SSP to discuss the next course of action on this matter.

In this meeting, the decision to book Azam Khan was taken and within few minutes Khan was registered for his alleged inflammatory speech over Kargil War.

On April 7, SP leader, during his party rally in Muslim-dominated area Masuri area, said that Kargil ki pahadiyo ko fateh karne wala koi Hindu nahi tha, balki Kargil ki pahadiyo ko nara-e-takbeer Allah-Hu-Akbar kehkar fathe karnewale Musalman fauji the (peaks of Kargil were not conquered by Hindus, but by Muslim). The Election Commission had yesterday banned him from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh and had asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against them.

Speaking in Rampur today, Azam Khan said he did not speak anything wrong and was a "nationalist". He said that the EC's step was "premature" as he was not given a hearing and he will urge the Commission to review its decision.